RECORD:Darwin, C. R. et al. 1847. Copy of Memorial to the First Lord of the Treasury [Lord John Russell], respecting the Management of the British Museum. Parliamentary Papers, Accounts and Papers 1847, paper number (268), volume XXXIV.253 (13 April): 1-3.

RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of
Commons,
dated 25 March 1847;—for,

A COPY "of a MEMORIAL to the First Lord of the
Treasury,
presented on the 10th day of March, by Members of the British
Association for the Advancement of Science, and of other Scientific
Societies, respecting the Management of the BRITISH MUSEUM, with the
Names affixed."

Ordered, by The House of Commons, to
be Printed, 13 April 1847.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P.,
FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY, &c. &c.1

WE, the undersigned, members of the British Society
for the Advancement of Science, and of various scientific societies,
respectfully submit to the consideration of your Lordship, that a
strong feeling pervades the naturalists of our country, that the
promotion of the science of Natural History is very inadequately
provided for by the present constitution of the Board of Trustees of
the British Museum.

So long as that institution consisted only of a library, with
limited collections of antiquities and natural curiosities, it was
easily managed by a body consisting of public functionaries, men of
rank and general attainments, and the representatives of the chief
donors of the Museum. When, however, the establishment was so enlarged
as to become a national deposit of the productions of nature, both
recent and fossil, together with vast additions to the books,
manuscripts, prints, statues, &c., supplemental trustees were
elected to aid in the direction. We rejoice that eminent men of letters
were thus associated in the Trust; but even so amended, the Board, with
the best intentions, we believe, has found it very difficult
satisfactorily to perform the numerous and various duties devolving
upon it; for although the "ex officio" Trustees, the Presidents of the
Royal Society and of the College of Physicians, are necessarily persons
of weight in science; and although we gratefully witnessed the election
of the eminent astronomer, Sir John Herschel, we would earnestly
represent to your Lordship, that the qualifications of these gifted
individuals do not necessarily include an interest in, or the ability
to judge of, many of those measures which may best promote Natural
History; and, consequently, that there is no effective provision (in
the absence of other men of science) for the proper guidance of the
Natural History department, or for having at the Board, trustees who
can explain to their associates the desiderata of naturalists, and
estimate the value of new specimens, either offered to or purchased by
the nation.

Fully acknowledging, that in their accomplishments and high
characters the present Trustees offer the best sureties for the
satisfactory execution of any duties connected with their own pursuits,
we still think that, with the best disposition (and they have already
done much good service) these distinguished men are unable adequately
to direct the vast and rapidly increasing Natural History departments
of the Museum; and we can even well suppose that they would themselves
be happy to be relieved from the heavy responsibility which must be
attached to the application of the large sum annually voted by
Parliament for the support of natural science.

Now, in the event of a knowledge of Natural History being in future
recognized among the grounds for election to the Trusteeship of the
British Museum, we should have reason to anticipate that the sum
allotted to this subject would be applied so efficiently and regularly
to its extension and improvement, as would

A Royal Commission was appointed as a result of this
petition in June 1847. However its recommendations were not followed
and no serious reorganisation took place until the natural history
collections were moved in 1880 to South Kensington in the new British
Museum (Natural History) building.

best secure the progress of science, and yield most interest and
instruction to the public.

Deeply impressed with these sentiments, we beg to suggest, for the
consideration of your Lordship, that steps should be taken to effect
such an improvement in the constitution of the Trust, as shall render
the management of the Natural History departments of the British
Museum, as far as possible, independent of the other divisions; and on
this point we would beg to refer your Lordship to the original plan of
Sir Hans Sloane.1

In offering this suggestion, we do not contemplate a separation of
the Natural History collections from the other departments of the
British Museum, as we well know that the cultivation of natural science
cannot be efficiently carried on without reference to an extensive
library.

What we chiefly desire to see is, the formation of such a
responsible system of management as may satisfy the public and
ourselves, that in this great national establishment, the interests of
all branches of natural science will be thoroughly protected and
advanced, and that the halls devoted to it shall be so enriched with
well selected and well classified objects of contemplation and
comparison, as shall not merely gratify the curiosity and excite the
wonder of the multitude, but shall prove of real use to the researches
of the student and the man of science.